Refinshing wood swim platform

tomdinwv

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
665
Hey guys. What is the best thing to use on a wood swim platform on the back of your boat? Should I use spar urethane or tung oil or is there another product I should put on it?
Thanks guys!
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,929
Re: Refinshing wood swim platform

First I'd give it a good scrubbing with a nylon brush and some Trisodium Phosphate or a Toilet Bowl Cleaner that contains Oxalyic Acid like Sno Bol cleaner. Then let it dry for a couple of days.
Then I'd oil it with Marine Tung Oil. Oiling requires multiple coats. The wood will initially "drink" the oil, and thinning the first coat about 20% with mineral spirits or turpentine encourages it to penetrate the wood more deeply. By the third coat, oil will begin to stand in some areas. Wipe up excess oil with a cloth. Continue to brush on the oil and wipe away any excess until the wood is saturated. The wood should have a matte finish without any shiny spots. During the season you will need to Oil it once a week especially if it sits in the sun a lot. I would not apply a sealer since you don't want it to be slick when people stand on it.
 

chriscraft254

Commander
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
2,445
Re: Refinshing wood swim platform

Teak oil will also be slick if you keep it coated enough to look good. I fought the teak oil for years, now I am done with it. If you want a non skid coating add some clear non skid granules to the spar varnish when your on your last couple coats.

Check out my thread below. I am in the process of sanding down my swim platform and spar varnishing as we speak. You can also see more teak I have already finished. The last couple pages. Good luck.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=483913
 

tomdinwv

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
665
Re: Refinshing wood swim platform

Thanks for the advice guys. Chriscraft 254, I looked at your project and all I can say is WOW. You did a great job on that boat, it looks great. Thanks again!
 

Tahorover

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
572
Re: Refinshing wood swim platform

First I'd give it a good scrubbing with a nylon brush and some Trisodium Phosphate or a Toilet Bowl Cleaner that contains Oxalyic Acid like Sno Bol cleaner. Then let it dry for a couple of days.
[FONT=arial,hevetica]Then I'd oil it with Tung Oil. Oiling requires multiple coats. The wood will initially "drink" the oil, and thinning the first coat about 20% with mineral spirits or turpentine encourages it to penetrate the wood more deeply. By the third coat, oil will begin to stand in some areas. Wipe up excess oil with a cloth. Continue to brush on the oil and wipe away any excess until the wood is saturated. The wood should have a matte finish without any shiny spots. During the season you will need to Oil it once a week especially if it sits in the sun a lot. I would not apply a sealer since you don't want it to be slick when people stand on it.[/FONT]
Tung oil is a very bad idea!!! Tung oil is a interior only finish! It will peel in no time.
 

Tahorover

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
572
Re: Refinshing wood swim platform

That's funny...These guys been making it for Marine use since 1910. I been using it for Exterior Teak Furniture for 25 yrs and it doesn't peel and has UV protection.

http://www.amazon.com/Waterlox-Original-Marine-Tung-Finish/dp/B001P99C4U
That is much different product and five times more expensive than what the typical home depot would have on the shelf!!
$8.00/Qt to your 40.00!
41NXNNyHHiL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
 

rickryder

Commander
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
2,722
Re: Refinshing wood swim platform

Well we are in a boat forum not a furniture forum :eek: ;)
 
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